Southwest Health District to assist evacuees

ALBANY, Ga. -- District Health Director, Jacqueline H. Grant, M.D., M.P.H., M.P.A., announced that the Southwest Health District will provide limited preventive public health services to hurricane victims sheltering in the Southwest Georgia.

Local health departments are temporarily waiving residency, identification, and income eligibility requirements for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) programs in an effort to provide those impacted by the disaster with WIC vouchers. These vouchers can be used to provide nutritious foods for infants and children up to age 5 and mothers who meet certain requirements.

"Not only has some of the state requirements for WIC eligibility been waived, but authorized Georgia WIC vendors can now accept WIC vouchers from the states of Alabama and Louisiana," said Susan Miller, R.D., L.D., C.L.C. "At this time, residents of the State of Mississippi can come to the local health department for WIC services."

Evacuees who are placed on the WIC Program in Dougherty County may also be eligible for the Dougherty County Health Department Farmer's Market Program. The farmer's market program issues special vouchers for produce that can be redeemed at the Dougherty County Health Department Farmer's Market. The market is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Additional information about the market can be obtained by calling 229-430-6200.

For more information about WIC vouchers, please contact your local health department, or visit www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org. The Southwest Health District is dedicated to providing comprehensive, quality education and services throughout Southwest Georgia to promote and preserve the health and well being of its citizens and communities.